FIFA World Cup 2014: Spain consider future after early exit

19 June 2014

Vicente del Bosque will not be rushed into a decision over his future as coach of Spain after their FIFA World Cup reign ended in a humiliating first round exit.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Chile at Rio’s Maracana, which followed a 5-1 rout at the hands of the Netherlands, sealed the fate of Spain who were chasing a fourth successive title to add to their 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 UEFA European championships.

“This is not the time to reflect on my future,” said Del Bosque, who insisted that Spain, having grown so used to triumph, now had to learn from adversity.

“When something negative comes out of such an important competition then of course there are consequences. I don’t want to go into an analysis right now, there will be plenty of time for that.

“We have players and a federation who are very consolidated, we are not falling apart.

“We will take the time to do what is best for Spanish football, and I include myself there,” he insisted.

“We must not make snap decisions on the basis of what has happened here.

“We played two games and were not able to overcome our rivals, Netherlands and Chile were better than us on the day.”

Del Bosque acknowledged his side were poor in the second half where they fell to pieces against the Dutch and in the first 45 minutes against a Chilean side who scented blood from the outset.

Before 2008, Spanish fans had endured four decades of under-achievement going back to their maiden UEFA Euro ‘64 win and on Wednesday it was back to the past as they endured a miserable evening with Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz netting first half goals.

Chile and the Netherlands have now qualified from Group B with Spain and Australia eliminated.